MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06 Title: Damsel's Black Bean Chili Categories: Chili Yield: 4 Qt 16 oz Dried black beans; rinsed - and sorted 1 lb Lean ground beef 1 1/2 lb Beef stew meat; 1/2" cubes 1 md Onion; finely chopped 1 md Green pepper; finely chopped 1 cl Garlic; finely minced 28 oz Can crushed tomatoes 1 tb Chili powder; or to taste 1/4 ts Cayenne pepper 1 ts Salt Water; as needed Rinse and sort the beans. Place into a 3 qt saucepan with 2 qt of water. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Let stand for one hour. Drain; add fresh water, and bring to a second boil. Reduce heat and simmer for one hour. Drain. While beans are simmering, brown ground beef and stew meat in a 4 qt saucepan (start the ground beef first, so there is some fat in the pan to keep the stew meat from sticking). When meat is browned, add the onion and green pepper. Cook until the onion is translucent. Drain off any excess fat. Add garlic, tomatoes, and spices. Simmer until beans are ready. Add beans and water, as needed. Cook until beans are desired texture. Adjust seasonings if needed. Serving suggestions: * Saltine crackers or oyster crackers * Shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or other cheese * Chopped onions Options: * Use the overnight soak method for beans (especially in hot weather) * Use canned black beans - lots of them Recipe FROM: MMMMM